So why the long tongue? Horse has pioneering surgery to remove melon-sized tumour on her jaw

A horse has been saved by pioneering surgery which removed her jaw to cut out a rare melon-sized tumour.

Paul Newby, 33, was devastated when he discovered his beloved six-year-old horse Star had the rare form of cancer in her mouth.

After taking her for a series of tests, he was told the showjumping champion had ameloblastoma of the mandible - a rare tumour in her bottom jaw.

What a Star! The horse's life was saved by pioneering surgery after owner Paul Newby discovered a melon-sized tumour on her jaw

Determined not to give up hope on his steed, Paul’s vet Kathy Uprichard of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, contacted surgeons at Glasgow University who offered to carry out a delicate and dangerous operation to remove Star’s bottom jaw and take out the tumour.

The horse spent two weeks being looked after by the surgeons at Glasgow University where the pioneering operation was carried out.